My Girlfriend’s Fortune: 3,141,592,653,589

TL: Aniea

“The bus has arrived! Those who want to leave right now, please get ready, and if anyone wants to come later with friends, feel free to go ahead!”

“Yes-!!”

The youngest junior staff member came in and loudly announced the arrival of the bus. As a result, the already quick pace of wrapping up accelerated even more.

Even though they were seasoned veterans who’d been in this industry for a long time, this was the first time they’d ever experienced anything like this.

“This is seriously insane class.”

“Not just renting out a movie theater, but a private bus too!?”

“I thought the usual rule for first broadcasts was staying at home with fried chicken and beer.”

Naturally, their gaze fell on the mastermind behind this situation: Kang Woo-ju. The incident traced back to this morning.

Before filming began, Director Kang In-ho had shared an announcement with everyone.

- There’s a dinner today to celebrate the first broadcast. Well, it’s more of a get-together. We have to film again tomorrow, so we won’t be drinking much. Just whoever wants to join for some light conversation.

- What about snacks?

- Snacks are just dried fish.

- Today’s actually my mother’s birthday...

- You said the same thing last week, didn’t you?

- Ah right, today it was supposed to be my father.

- Bullshit. Attendance isn’t mandatory, so if you don’t want to come, no worries. I know everyone’s exhausted from the tight filming schedule.

- Yes, sir~

Since everyone knew Director Kang In-ho wasn’t the type to pressure anyone, there was an atmosphere of trying to avoid the gathering if possible.

There was a lot of accumulated fatigue, and nobody knew what the mood on set would be depending on the viewership ratings. Then.

- Director.

- Oh, Woo-ju. What’s up?

- I just got a message from my girlfriend that she’s secured a venue for the dinner. It’s a bit last minute, but if it’s alright, let’s change the location to there.

Twitch-!

The ears of the surrounding staff, who were listening in on the conversation, perked up all at once.

Kang Woo-ju.

Who was he?

At the last dinner, he was the one who’d treated everyone to unlimited servings of the highest-grade Hanwoo beef with perfect marbling- a true young and rich guy.

The living embodiment of noblesse oblige in this era. Wasn’t he a role model that all chaebols should aspire to be?

- His girlfriend, that would be....

- Isn’t it CEO Kim Eun-ha?

- The granddaughter of Mirae Group’s Chairman, current CEO of Mirae Department Store, and a woman with both wisdom and beauty- Kim Eun-ha!?

Gulp-!

The staff unconsciously swallowed. Just where would the dinner venue that Kim Eun-ha prepared be?

Unconsciously, they leaned in closer to listen to the conversation, curious about the details of the two.

And Kang Woo-ju, fully aware of their curiosity, graciously satisfied their suspense.

- So, where’s the venue?

- It’s at Yongsan IPark Mall.

- IPark Mall... could it be...?

- I think it’s exactly what you’re imagining. She said she reserved the entire movie theater, and set it up so we can watch our drama on IMAX.

- Crazy.

Overwhelmed by the unimaginable class, Kang In-ho muttered his honest feelings without realizing.

Having filmed nearly ten dramas, they always had company dinners with the production team for the first episode.

But usually, that meant reserving a small bar in front of the broadcasting station to watch it on a small TV.

If too few people joined, they’d just watch the first episode in the broadcasting station’s break room while monitoring the viewership ratings.

‘...But IMAX?’

And not just any IMAX, but the largest screen in Yongsan. To be able to watch a drama he had filmed himself on that massive screen?

This was something that would be difficult even if he were a film director, and working in broadcasting, he never would have dreamed of it.

The other staff felt the same way. The moment they heard Kang Woo-ju’s words, it was like the fatigue that had piled up in their bodies vanished like a lie.

- There are plenty of seats, so you can even bring your family. We’ve reserved two private buses, so once filming wraps, you can all head over together. After it’s over, the buses will drop everyone off in Jamsil.

- .......

- Ah, and for those with families, there’s a children’s movie prepared and dedicated teachers as well. So even those with kids can relax and enjoy themselves.

- Crazy.

At Kang Woo-ju’s words, spoken almost as if he wanted everyone to hear, the entire staff reacted with astonishment.

It was a statement aimed right at the hearts of the married men, who wanted to attend but were hesitant, thinking of their wives who would be left alone at home with the kids.

- Director, you haven’t finalized the list for the dinner yet, right?

- This time, I definitely want to attend, no matter what.

- Turns out my dad’s birthday is actually next week. I think I can join too!

- I see right through you guys. Seriously, you’re so transparent.

Sigh-

Watching the staff’s eyes gleaming with excitement, Kang In-ho let out a quiet sigh. Yet, there was an unmistakable smile on his face.

- You know we have a lot to film today, right? If filming drags on, the dinner is off, no questions asked. If you want to go to Yongsan, prove it with your skills!

- Yes, sir!

The staff answered with enthusiasm.

Their voices echoed through the set, and despite it being a longer shoot than usual, not a single person seemed tired.

The actual efficiency increased surprisingly, and. What would normally have continued until dawn ended before evening.

“If only we could work like this every day.”

"We'd all collapse soon if we did this every day, wouldn't we?"

“Well, that’s true. By the way, are you planning to join too, Writer Jung? You look so worn out, maybe don’t overdo it?”

"When have I ever not looked like this?"

Jung Ha-rin shrugged at Kang In-ho’s comment.

With her baseball cap hiding her messy hair, large glasses, and even hair rollers wrapped up, she looked nothing short of a complete shut-in.

She had rewritten the entire script at the last minute, and was typing away, barely sparing time to eat or even go to the bathroom.

Yet, she still made it to every filming session where Kang Woo-ju was present, both to keep a promise she’d made earlier and to gather inspiration, or so she claimed.

“Well, get some rest after the gathering tonight. Thanks to all the hard work you put in, we have about a day’s worth of leeway.”

“Director, you’re a terrible liar, you know.”

“What lie did I tell?”

“We’re running on last-minute scripts every single day. Do you really think I don’t know you’re just covering with your experience?”

“...At times like this, could you just pretend not to notice?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Snicker-

Jung Ha-rin stifled a laugh, watching Director Kang In-ho shake his head. With a smile lingering at her lips, she continued.

“It’s fine. This isn’t a one-person show, after all. Still, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Director. You might lack delicacy sometimes, but that's what I like about you occasionally."

"...S-stop saying weird things and go take a shower! You're not planning to go to dinner like that, are you?"

“What? Are you embarrassed of me?”

“No, that’s not what I meant....”

Shake shake-

Watching the two bicker, the production team quietly turned away, each gladly working a little harder to cover their share.

“All done!”

“Great job, everyone!”

“The bus will depart at exactly 8:30 PM. If you want to use the showers or visit a nearby bathhouse, please be quick!”

“Yes-!!”

After wrapping up together, the staff and actors scattered in different directions, each heading to their own destination to freshen up. After a quick reorganization, they gathered again in front of the bus.

“...This isn’t just any ordinary bus.”

“...When did they even prepare something like this?”

“...Acting really is just a hobby for him, isn’t it?”

Everyone let out a hollow laugh when they saw the bus.

No wonder, they found that the front, back, and sides of the bus were all covered with promotional slogans and posters for <Peaceful Chaebol Life>.

[Another Peaceful Day in the Lives of Chaebols]

[Do not disappoint me any further.]

[Saturdays and Sundays, 9 PM on TvM. Premiering tonight!]

There was a noticeable emphasis on Kang Woo-ju’s face among the main cast, and his popular line from the trailer was prominently displayed, overshadowing even the lead actors.

No one found this offensive- not even the lead actors, Park Soo-bin and Choi Ji-hwan.

“Well, the trailer did present it that way from the start.”

“And the recently released script reading video also blew up.”

“You mean the one where he exchanges lines with Kim Young-ho sunbae?”

"Yes. It was almost like a special broadcast level, wasn't it?"

When the trailer ignited such a strong response, Kang In-ho decided to strike while the iron was hot and made a bold move.

He edited the first script reading session where Kim Young-ho and Kang Woo-ju clashed in a tense showdown and released it as a second preview video.

- Special feature? Are you kidding? Do you think we have time for that? Just edit the script reading footage and release it!

- Combined with the trailer, that’s practically half of episode one being spoiled...

- Even combined, it’s only five minutes. And plenty of people will enjoy seeing the contrast between the script reading and the actual drama scenes, which will only draw them in more.

- The editing team says they’ll die before doing it.

- Can they say that in front of Woo-ju?

- ...They said they’ll find a way.

The edited version was a massive hit.

The sight of a rookie actor snarling back and forth with a veteran who could intimidate anyone was a huge topic of discussion.

└ Isn’t Kang Woo-ju being way too rude? No matter what, that’s a senior actor. He should be on his knees bowing before him.

└ -Okay Boomer-

└ Keep it in context (it’s just a show). Does anyone here seriously believe this was done without prior agreement?

└ Lol obviously it’s all performance. What kind of rookie would pull that stunt on Kim Young-ho? If he were really that crazy, he wouldn’t even have made it onto this drama.

Initially, there were quite a few sharp criticisms, but most were quickly buried under a flood of supportive comments.

Kang Woo-ju’s image had benefited greatly from building up a mystique both on and off screen, such as the visit to a book cafe with Kim Eun-ha, that made him seem like he had 'something special'.

└ But they're both seriously good at acting

└ “So, you think you can kill this old man too?” That part was chilling. And the way Kang Woo-ju responds without flinching... it’s like he’s insane too, lol.

└ I mean, Kim Young-ho is a proven actor, but who the hell is Kang Woo-ju? Where did this monster suddenly come from?

└ Exactly. It’s hilarious that people still call him a nepotism hire even after watching this video, lol.

This was the general response.

Thanks to this, the excitement around the trailer, which had started to die down, reignited, and the attention on <Peaceful Chaebol Life> itself surged.

“Honestly, at first, I felt frustrated, but now I’ve come to accept it. He’s just... someone who lives in a different world.”

“Mm-hmm. Exactly.”

Some of the actors who had initially eyed Kang Woo-ju with jealousy and resentment had completely changed their attitude in just a few days.

After the beef dinner gathering, they had frequently enjoyed treats like coffee and snacks, courtesy of him.

Looking back, it wasn’t as if Kang Woo-ju had ever done anything bad to them.

In fact, thanks to Kang Woo-ju, the drama, which might have faded into obscurity, had skyrocketed as a highly anticipated project.

‘...The trickle-down effect is real.’

Most of the actors in this production were rookies starving for public attention, and the interest spilling over from Kang Woo-ju naturally flowed to them.

Their personal SNS followings surged, and now they not only acknowledged Kang Woo-ju but genuinely respected him.

“We’re about to depart! If you’re ready, please start boarding from the back seats!”

"Let's go too."

"Yeah, the junior's voice is going to go hoarse."

The production team who had been observing the promotional bus moved at the junior staff member's desperate cry.

Their footsteps were light and fresh, hard to believe that they had just finished a long 12-hour shoot.